Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert


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LOW-WATER GROUNDCOVERS
Groundcovers can enliven an area by carpeting bare soil or large expanses of granite with color and texture. From a design sense, they help unify and blend separate elements of the landscape. Regarded as problem solvers, groundcovers' many uses include stabilizing soil, minimizing dust, shading and cooling bare surfaces, and creating visual interest. They also soften hardscape features, such as low walls, walkways, and patio areas. Groundcovers grow from a few inches to a few feet high, and some can spread several feet wide. Select them with mature size, especially spread, in mind. Avoid planting them too close to walkways or other plants to prevent the need for frequent trimming or pruning.

Click the photo or [more info] link to get detailed information about each plant.


Common Name: Trailing Acacia Botanical Name: Acacia redolens		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 10' W Form: spreading E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Small yellow Flower Season: early spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Australia Other Features: Good for banks and erosion control. Look for the prostrate form; upright forms can reach 4-5 feet high or more. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Trailing Desert Broom Botanical Name: Baccharis hybrid		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 5°F Sun: full sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 3' H X 4' W Form: spreading E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: bright green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: White (nonshowy) Flower Season: fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: Tolerates tough conditions. Look for selections that are nonseeding with uniform growth habit. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Red Spike Ice Plant Botanical Name: Cephalophyllum 'Red Spike'		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: full sun Water: low Growth Rate: slow Mature Size: 1/2' H X 1/2' W Form: clumping E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Brilliant red-cerise Flower Season: winter to early spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: Winter color. Good for small spaces. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Damianita Botanical Name: Chrysactinia mexicana		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: very low Growth Rate: slow Mature Size: 2' H X 2' W Form: mounding E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: Golden yellow, daisylike Flower Season: spring and fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, Texas, western Texas Other Features: Fragrant foliage. Good for courtyards. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Bush Morning Glory Botanical Name: Convolvulus cneorum		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 2' H X 3' W Form: mounding E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: silvery-gray Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Showy white Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: southern Europe Other Features: Requires well-drained soil. Attracts pollinators. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Trailing Dalea Botanical Name: Dalea greggii		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 2' H X 6' W Form: spreading E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: silvery-green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: Lavender-purple clusters Flower Season: spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Chihuahuan Desert Other Features: Tolerates tough conditions. Also try D. capitata. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Blue Euphorbia Botanical Name: Euphorbia rigida		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: slow-moderate Mature Size: 2' H X 3' W Form: mounding E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: blue-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Chartreuse Flower Season: midwinter to spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: yes, may irritate skin
Native to: Mediterranean Other Features: Striking foliage and flowers. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Trailing Gazania Botanical Name: Gazania rigens		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: <1' H X 1 1/2' W Form: trailing E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: silver to green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Orangey, bronze, yellow, daisylike Flower Season: late winter to spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Africa, South Africa Other Features: Brilliant flower colors. May die out in summer if overwatered. Look for selections that offer a variety of flower and foliage colors. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Lantana Botanical Name: Lantana hybrid		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 28°F Sun: full sun Water: moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 2' H X 3' W Form: mound, trailing E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Yellow, orange, gold Flower Season: year-round in frost free weather Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: yes, may irritate skin Wildlife: butterflies
Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: Vibrant summer color. Attracts butterflies. Look for selections that offer a variety of flower colors. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Trailing Lantana Botanical Name: Lantana montevidensis		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 25°F Sun: full sun Water: moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 4' W Form: mound, trailing E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Lavender to white Flower Season: year-round in frost free weather Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: yes, may irritate skin Wildlife: butterfly
Native to: South America Other Features: Attracts butterflies. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Gray Ice Plant Botanical Name: Malephora crocea		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1/2' H X 1/2' W Form: trailing E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Orange to red with yellow center Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: South Africa Other Features: Well adapted to grow in containers. Also try M. lutea and Carpobrotus edulis. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Myoporum Botanical Name: Myoporum parvifolium		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: <1' H X 6' W Form: trailing E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: bright green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Small white Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Australia Other Features: Good cover on slopes. May die if overwatered. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Tufted Evening Primrose Botanical Name: Oenothera caespitosa		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: moderate Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: clumping E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Large showy white flowers fade to pink Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, western U.S. Other Features: Fragrant flowers open from dusk to early morning. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Saltillo Primrose Botanical Name: Oenothera stubbei		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1/2' H X 4' W Form: clumping E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Butter yellow Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: northeast Mexico Other Features: Showy, sweet-scented flowers open from dusk to early morning. Also consider O. berlandieri, although it can be invasive. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Trailing Rosemary Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus'		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 2' H X 4' W Form: trailing E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: fine Flower Color: Blue Flower Season: winter to spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: Upright forms are available. Fragrant foliage. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Katie Ruellia Botanical Name: Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie'		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 28°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: moderate Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: mounding E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: purple Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: butterflies
Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: Refined groundcover for small areas. Look for selections that offer pink or white flowers. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Creeping Germander Botanical Name: Teucrium chamaedrys 'Prostratum'		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun Water: moderate Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1/2' H X 3' W Form: trailing E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Pale pink Flower Season: winter to spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: Fragrant foliage. Requires well-drained soil. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Yellow Dot Botanical Name: Wedelia trilobata		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 30°F Sun: full sun, partial sun, shade Water: moderate Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1-1/2' H X 6' W Form: trailing E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Yellow daisylike Flower Season: spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: yes, may irritate skin
Native to: Central and South America, South America Other Features: Good in containers. Can be invasive if not controlled. [More information about this plant.]

The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) is a voluntary, non-profit corporation established by municipalities in Maricopa County for the development of urban water resources policy.